Ok guys, wierd one here (or wierd to me at least). Hopefully it isn't as scary as it looked.

Tuning up the E420 that just went over 60k last week. Putting in new Caps, Rotors, Plugs, filters, etc....when pulling the spark plugs, almost half came out covered in oil right around the threads. I mean like, dripping, black oil. The tips of the plugs themselves looked fine - nice grey dust, no corrosion or indication that oil was being burned. What could this be?

The valve cover gaskets are weeping, is that somehow leaking down into the plug holes? The car runs fantastic - not a hint of smoke or oily smell...in fact just got 26 mpg on a recent road-trip BEFORE the tune-up. I guess I can see some oil finding it's way down there if you sloshed oil out while filling, but I found this condition on both the right and left side of the engine.

Any ideas?

Regards,
- Ryan, scared in Seattle

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'95 E420 - 'Shadowfax' 138kmi.
'92 Volvo 740Turbo Bard 193kmi
'74 240D - 'Ol' Green' 4spd Manual 104kmi. (sold )
'77 300D - 'Red' 223kmi (sold)
'75 240D - 'Bianca the Blue Bomber' (sold)